In the turbulent world of international politics, the drama never stops. Recently, President Trump has been pushing for a peace deal in Ukraine, aiming to bring President Putin and President Zelenskyy to the negotiation table. This much-anticipated deadline, however, seems more like a mirage in the desert. Putin, with his penchant for being fashionably late to every international commitment, has shown little interest in abiding by the deadline. It’s almost as if he gets a kick out of making the world hold its breath.

Now, the big question on everyone’s mind is what happens when Putin ignores this deadline. Trump has been accused of being too friendly with Putin in the past, but let’s be real, Trump has never been one to mince words or hesitate to steamroll anyone in his path, and that includes the Russian president. The United States has plenty of options to make things uncomfortable for Putin without firing a single shot. Russia, already not the bastion of stability, would find it particularly irksome if the U.S. were to wield its economic and diplomatic power like a club. Imagine Russia being removed from the global banking system – it’s the nonviolent equivalent of dropping a nuke.

Some folks are saying that economic consequences should be the way to handle Putin. Given his country’s less-than-rosy economic condition, it’s like giving the bear a poke in the eye. Trump has shown he’s not afraid of making the tough decisions when they matter. Meanwhile, Putin’s version of diplomacy, where he opens the door for talks just to slam it shut again, continues. It’s the second time Trump has attempted to bring a ceasefire between these two feuding nations, but timing is everything, and Putin seems to prefer living on the edge of deadlines.

In another twist on the world stage, North Korea’s Kim Jong-un has finally peered out from his fortress of solitude and visited China for the first time in six years. While it’s interesting, it’s not exactly cause for concern just yet. Kim has mostly stayed under the radar, and the last thing the Pacific Rim needs is for him to get energetic enough to rock the boat. The Chinese might see this as another chip to play against President Trump, but for now, it’s just something to keep an eye on rather than a full-fledged panic attack.

For Americans watching from afar, the complexities of global alliances are a reminder that war could be the worst-case scenario. However, the idea of trouble brewing in the Pacific Rim has allies considering their options – should they cozy up more to China, or is the U.S. a better bet? It’s a delicate dance, and America has to lead with a strong, confident step. One thing’s for sure, with all the juggling Trump has to do, he might as well join the circus, because it’s a never-ending show on the world stage.